Archive for the ‘Pet Care Advice’ Category

by danielhedrick

If you suddenly fall ill or have an accident, you’re nearest and dearest will not hesitate to take you to the doctor or to your local hospital where you will be treated for free. If you have medical insurance you might end up in a very nice hospital where there is wine on the menu!

But it is a different story for animals. There is no free treatment available if your pet becomes ill. The cost all has to come out of your pocket, unless you have had the sense to take out pet insurance. It is estimated that of the country’s 13 million dog owners, only 12 per cent have done so.

It pays to go for a decent level of cover. A common operation on a dog could cost between five hundred pounds and two and a half thousand, so don’t kick yourself later for taking out the cheapest policy if it won’t provide enough cover when needed.

Pet insurance is not for the normal veterinary bills associated with owning an animal. It doesn’t cover things like worming, vaccinations and booster shots, having its nails cut, or spaying and neutering. You can spend roughly 420 pounds a year on those sorts of things, and you do need to keep up to date with injections to prevent more serious illness.

But you don’t want to have to find an extra thousand or more unexpectedly. In fact it is estimated that about 40 per cent of what you pay out for your dog goes on unexpected veterinary bills.

And it is not just medical costs that pet insurance covers. Legal liability is an important concern. If your dog is in the dangerous category according to the Dangerous Dogs Act, you will definitely need insurance in case it harms anyone or their property.

Another benefit is the provision of legal advice and covering legal fees if your dog is a sheep-worrier or has a penchant for biting delivery men. Likewise if your dog causes a driver to swerve and crash his car, the right pet insurance could cover you for all the repairs.

Most policies help with the cost of advertising if your pet is lost, and offer a reward as well. Some will even pay financial compensation on the loss through theft or death of your pet, up to the price you paid for it. More expensive policies will have extra features such as paying for Rover’s care and accommodation if you go into hospital and there is nobody to look after him; paying for a cancelled holiday due to the pet’s health problems; and for an animal behaviourist if he really has problems!

Apart from all the above possibilities, factors that help determine the cost of your policy include what sort of animal it is, its age and postcode. The level of cover you choose is your decision alone, but don’t be tempted to stint on the medical cover. You might not be able to find further insurance if you reach your claim limit.
Another thing to watch out for is the animal’s weight. Many medical problems are exacerbated by carrying excess weight, and it’s no different for our pets. Vets claim that nearly half of all cats and dogs in this country are overweight. You could be accused of not taking good care of your animal if you let it get too fat, and you might even find your policy invalidated.

So there is a wide variety of pet insurance policies available and the best place to look is online. Compare all the details with an independent adviser, and be sure to read all the terms and conditions thoroughly. You need to be very clear on what the excess is and what is excluded.

by danielhedrick

To maintain the health of your iguana does not mean that you need to take it out on regular walks on the park, or have him groomed in your local pet center. These are the things you would do for your pet dog but not for your iguana.

Keeping your iguana healthy is a matter of knowing its basic needs. With all the information about these reptiles already available, there is no reason why you cannot have them growing big and healthy.

Some people prefer to have iguana for their pet because they think that taking care of one is not as difficult compared with other kinds of pets. But then, iguanas can also be sensitive if you do not know what you are doing.

Unlike pet dogs or cats, there is really no high maintenance needed to keep your iguana healthy. All that is needed are some basic necessities that may seem unimportant yet will prove vital in keeping them healthy and fit.

Iguanas are like human. They are fully awake in the morning but needed the darkness of the night to be able to sleep and rest. This is one of the things you have to consider if you have an iguana.

In pet stores today, you will be able to find an assortment of iguana shelters that are complete with the necessary equipments that you pet will need. For example, there are cages available that comes with a bulb that serves as light as well as a heat source for your iguana. Heat is vital in maintaining the body temperature of an iguana. Some owners go to the extent of monitoring temperatures and providing heaters for these pets.

Those who cannot afford these things opt for the more conventional approach of turning lights off in the evening so the iguana can rest. But the problem with this set up is that there is no additional source of warmth supplied to the iguana. In these cases, you may find drifting off to a corner or a place where these reptiles find the heat that their body needs.

For those who want to maintain an orderly temperature monitoring, there are timers that they can buy to ensure that everything is kept well in order. Keep in mind that iguanas thrive mostly on outdoor forest temperatures. That was their home before they were in captivity. It is therefore important that you maintain what they have gotten used to so that they will not find it hard to adapt to their new environment.

First aid is also necessary if you notice signs of illness of skin diseases. Be sure that you have antiseptics or iodine ready for use. If your iguana appears to have an infection, you will notice dark spots or scratches that were not there initially. The best thing to do is to note if these things are starting to get worse or not. Check out the surrounding areas around your pet. Some of these things are caused by the environment that they are exposed to.

If the problem persists, then it is time to consult an expert iguana veterinarian. They will be the ones who will give you advice on what to use on your pet to stop whatever symptoms of illness it is experiencing.

If the health of your iguana is important to you, then you should prepare yourself for the necessary measures in maintaining and keeping them.

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by This Year’s Love

As a cat lover, you would naturally want to know as much as you can about your kitty’s health! Your little bundle of fur can be practically considered as part of the family, so why wouldn’t you make sure that he is happy and healthy? In this article we will look at a few starting points for your cats health.

Cat health is strongly affected by what kitty eats. Obesity is a major factor in heart disease particularly as your cat gets older. Choose the right cat food for your cat.Choose the correct food  that is right for it’s age then feed it to them daily. If in doubt please contact your Vet. and get your veternarians advice as your cat can have completely different nurtient needs to what you would expect!

Longhaired cats should be groomed regularly for optimum cat health. Use a pet brush and groom no less than once a week. This isalso a great way to bond with kitty! The litter box can be a danger to both cat health and human health if it isn’t cleaned regularly. Change your pet’s litter no less than once every four days or more remembering to clear the tray of faces as since cats are very clean animals and can smell up to 10 times better than humans! Your kitty will just love you for it! Also be careful as some litter can be very dusty, again ask your Vet as to what litter you should be using. There are some types of litter which can irritating espically if your kitty’s has asthma.

If you are going to choose to declaw your kitty, this can be a major factor in cat health. If you choose to declaw your pet it is important to remember to keep them inside at all times! Although I would never recommend to declaw kitty as this is taking away what makes him a cat! Also sometimes declawing can be very painfull for your cat and he may become resentful! If you are worried about your furniture, invest in a cat scratcher and rub some cat nip over it, you will be suprised! Another option is only to trim the claws reguarly, you mut be very careful when doing it.

Stressful situations like moving, travelling, natural disasters or even changes in the family can affect cat health as cats can be a  very sensitive creatures. To minimize the effects of stress on your pet, ask your vet or pet store what to recommend to slightly sedate kitty.Note: anytime you are going to sedate your pet it is most important to contact your vet and get the correct meds. as well as the dose to administer to your cat. Cat nip is always a good option, when cat eats this plant it acts as a sedative.

Part of managing cat health is making sure dangerous poisons like antifreeze are inaccessible to your pet just as you would with your own toddler. Some household plants are fatal to cats so make sure to raise your plants and lock your toxins! If you have an indoor kitty, invest in a few cat-friendly plants such as Cat nip, Cat grass, Honeysuckle etc with the bonus of giving kitty much needed nutrients and minerals not generally found in manufactured pet food!

Cat’s often have mouth diseases and this can impact cat health. Cat’s are just as prone to gingivitis as humans and cats can also develope gingivitisas well. Take kitty to the vet at least once a year to have his teeth regulary checked and cleaned, even switching to a food that prevents tatar buildup is always a bonus.There are many that help with this condition.

As always one of the greatest factors in cat health is deciding if your cat is going to be an indoor or goes outdoors. Cars, children, other animals and toxins, ALL are all dangerous and should be avoided by keeping your cat indoors. Sometimes this isn’t the solution for every kitty as you will need to stock up on the cat toys! And can be very hard to stop your kitty if he already has been accustomed to the outdoors!

Having pets, especially dogs has become a trend these days and it is also very beneficial to have a dog as they are known to be a very loyal pet. It is more than just following a trend and it is not as easy as we think to maintain them. Special care needs to be taken to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Below are a few important things you need to follow to take good care of your canine.

Firstly, get an identification chip or tag for your dog. This will help you to find your pet if it gets lost. Nowadays there is an option of putting a microchip under the skin of your dog which will make sure your dog will return to you even if the ID tag is lost.

Get your dog properly vaccinated from time to time or else it may lead to diseases like rabies which is lethal both for you and your dog.

It is advisable to get your pet a special doghouse and a fenced yard, as it might prove difficult for yourself and visitors in certain circumstances. Dogs also like their own space and are exceptionally independent at times.

Your dog needs to be taken to a vet for regular examinations, as this will help you detect diseases or any health related problems at an early stage. It is proven that dogs that are taken to the vets and are treated in the right way live longer and have fewer behavioural problems like nipping and jumping up etc.

For a longer and healthier life for your pet put it on a proper and regular diet. Dietary requirements change with the age of the dog. For example a young puppy eats bones, but when it gets older its teeth get a bit blunt and the bones need to be replaced by softer food.

Most of the dog owners find that playing with their canine companion, along with walking him twice a day is providing sufficient exercise. Walking benefits people as much as it benefits their dogs, also the time spent together will improve your dog’s sense of well-being. If you have questions about the level of exercise appropriate for your dog, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian.  

Make the most of the tips that are mentioned above and just remember that there are solutions for almost all the problems related to your pet, but taking the right step at the right time is what is important. Also if you find a lot of change in your pet’s behaviour, contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter for advice or you may find relevant information and proper tips on the internet.

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by anyjazz65

Caring a pet is about caring a baby, everything need to be schedule one by one. From skills of bathing them, concern about their teeth problem and right now. Not just even know what the best food for our pet is but also what is the ingredient as advice should we as pet lovers know about this. Before this thousand ago pet is only for be a partner for human but right now al change, true pet still be our partner nowadays but also be our adopt child also.

The objective of this article is to make you know more things than just find a healthy food regarding a recommended by others.  You should be notice now, each of food has difference in their ingredient and each of these ingredients have different with their function. Frankly, you must know what your pets need, then find food that fulfill their problem. You should understand the ingredients while buying food for your dog and also know what to look for.

If you come across any different kinds of preservatives and if the dog develops all of a sudden signs pertaining to the food allergy, suspect the unwanted ingredient in the feed items given. Similarly, understand about the moisture status. If the food item is having more moisture, then the dog may prefer this as well.
Like human, pets also have category in choosing a food,  and of curse those who are vegetarian and not. For dogs that are vegetarian beet pulp, pasta, Soy bean oil, wheat middlings, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, copper sulphate, iron sulphate, zinc oxide, choline chloride, etc. are often the ingredients.

For dogs that non-vegy Raw egg, chicken, beef, mutton, fish, quail etc. are often the preferred ingredients in case of dog diets that are prepared on the basis of the non-vegetarian items.
To increase dog’s nutrition find food that has a taurine ingredient.  Likewise, in the case of dogs feed with frozen fish items, the vitamin called thiamine needs to be supplemented as an ingredient. Furthermore, minerals like zinc, is an essential ingredient for skin health status and calcium, which is an essential ingredient for bone growth, tonicity of muscles.

Please noted, many dog food that are in premium type will much give a disadvantages for your pets because a lot of it fatty acids, carbohydrates with adequate fiber contents, vitamins like A, D, E and B complex vitamins. However you should see the label first and find the ingredient that your pets need.

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by Ed Yourdon

Having pets is a great way to teach children about responsibility as well as showing them how to be kind and caring to animals and humans, if done correctly.  In certain instances it can take a lot longer however choosing the right pet can make the difference.

When considering the various pets for sale you need to consider the impact it will have on your life and your family’s’.  It is best to start with a small animal which is low maintenance as you will probably find you are left to care for the animal a lot of the time or the child needs time to learn how to behave responsibly towards the animal.

Choosing a small pet such as a rabbit or guinea pig is good since they are cheap to keep and to entertain. A few toys and they are happy. Hamsters are an option however they do tend to be awake more at night which is in keeping with their desert instincts of coming out in the dark and cool times.

Dogs love companionship therefore is a great option however initially they can be expensive to buy. You could re-home a dog from a rescue centre however you are risk of taking in an animal which may have temper issues which can come apparent if it feels threatened or provoked.  If you do go down the latter root and choose a dog from a rescue centre rather than other pets for sale do make sure you get a full background from the staff so you understand the dogs behaviour, the breeds traditional ailments and the size the dog is likely to grow to.

I would suggest making a cost list of the potential pet. Include potential vet fees, insurance costs, collars, toys. Also consider if you have enough time to train the animal if you do go with a dog.

Remember pets can damage homes, dogs especially like to chew furniture and can bring in fleas that will affect children too.

To recap small is best for the first pet. Going with a guinea pig or rabbit is a safe bet. As long as they are kept clean, watered and fed, they will provide brilliant fun. They don’t take up a great deal of space, food is pretty cheap as is bedding, or even free if you use a paper shredder. If you don’t have a place to put guinea pigs or rabbits such as a garage in the winter, then a hamster may be the best type of pets for sale to go with.

Follow this advice and your child (and probably the rest of the family) should build up a lasting and loving relationship with the pet.

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by anyjazz65

According to a survey published by Mintel, one in three pets needs an unexpected visit to the vet each year. This means that you are more likely to claim on your pet insurance than on a home & contents policy or even your car insurance.

The word “unexpected” is important here. If you are looking for pet insurance to provide cover for routine treatments such as vaccinations or worming, forget it – policies that do that are as rare as hens’ teeth! And you won’t find cover for elective treatments, such as neutering, either. This means that the most common reasons for visiting the vet are uninsurable.

But don’t forget it’s those unexpected visits that tend to be the expensive ones! Developments in animal care mean that more conditions can be effectively treated and costs of emergency care can be horrendous. A cat that argues with a car could cost £700, even more, to treat. After all, a series of X-rays could cost £400 and a MRI scan will put you back £1,000. If Buster the Bulldog tore a ligament that too can be treated – but the cost? Don’t expect change from £1,500! This is serious money!

Having appreciated that most reasons for a visit to the vet are uninsurable, what do we get for our money?

Well, insurance plans largely fall into three types. The first restricts the value of the claim for each condition or event; the second limits the total annual payout and the third and cheapest option, limits the payout per condition and ceases cover after 12 months of treatment. Most will make a payout if you pet dies. And with all policies you will have to pay an excess on any claim, usually between £50 and £100.

And the cost? That depends on which type of policy you want, the excess you want to pay, the sort of pet you have, its breed, its age and even your post-code (vets charge more in Chelsea). But as a guide, an industry estimate suggests costs between £30 and £200 per year for a cat and between £50 to £500 for Buster.

The best advice is start the insurance when your pet is young. Most pets can be insured after they’re 8 weeks old and you can then maintain the insurance over the course of its life. If your pet is in it’s middle age when you want to start the insurance, say eight or nine for a dog, then it may be difficult to get worthwhile cover. This is because treatments for existing health conditions will be excluded from the cover and in any case, a new policy at that age gets expensive.

So how can you lower the premiums? Sometime insurers will give you a discount if you pet has been identity chipped and quantity discounts do prevail! Discounts are widely available for your second and subsequent insured pet.

Then there’s always the Internet. The Internet is taking an increasing share of the insurance market and no wonder – its simple, quick and easy. What’s more it’s probably the cheapest avenue for all your insurance whether it be for your home, your car or pet.

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by This Year’s Love

Like people, pets can develop physical problems that require special attention. In the past it was common for such a pet to face euthanasia. However, with the great advances made in veterinarian medicine as well an increased awareness of the human-animal bond many of these special needs pets are finding a place in the hearts and homes of pet owners.

Special needs pets are often able to adapt to their “disability” more readily than their human counterparts, however they still require a lifestyle and environmental modifications to accommodate their particular needs. This also means adaptations as well as a higher level of commitment on the part of the pet owner. Let’s look at some of the more common disabilities in pets.

Many pets are blind; some are blind from birth while others were blinded by accident or disease.  Often people who lose their site will speak of the heightened sense of smell and hearing they experience, as theses senses adapt to compensate for the lack of vision. Knowing that our pets have a keener sense of smell and hearing than we do and assuming that the same adaptation occurs to accommodate the loss of one of the other senses it is easy to see why they are able to adapt so well to that loss of sight. One great example of how these pets can cope and still live full and happy lives is a dog named Tess.  Due to Glaucoma Tess lost her sight and her eyes had to be surgically removed.  To see her amazing story visit http://Blindanimal.com there you will see some amazing videos of Tess playing football, fetch and learning to negotiate large steps. This site is also a great resource for anyone who has a blind pet.

A blind pet obviously needs to be protected from hazards they cannot see. For example, it may be a wise idea to keep stairways inaccessible with childproof gates to prevent accidental falls. A blind pet should never negotiate stairs without supervision.  Likewise, it is not wise to leave a sightless pet outside alone. Many things can happen which could frighten or disorient them and they may wander off in the wrong direction leading to very real dangers for them.  When walking a blind pet in a new or strange location, for example on a vacation, it is recommended to use a body harness as opposed to a collar. This helps the pet to feel more secure because it gives more body contact helping the pet to feel safely connected to the pet owner.  It will take some time but the most important thing is that a blind pet learns to trust their owner.

Another common disability among pets is hearing loss. Of course the difficulty here is that the pet owner cannot signal or give the pet commands verbally.  However, this does not mean that deaf animals cannot learn to follow commands.  With a little time and patience on the part of the pet owner a deaf pet can be trained using a combination of facial expressions, eye contact, hand signals and touch. Many owners of deaf pets have come up with clever ways of gaining their pets attention such as remote control vibrating collars or stomping on the floor to create vibrations.  Some use flashlights or reflections from small hand mirrors. For more useful information on living with a deaf pet visit http://www.leadwithyourheart.net/Deaf_Animals

Animal amputees have one of the more obvious disabilities, unlike deafness or even blindness a missing limb stands out. No matter how noticeable it is to people, animals don’t seem to give a second thought to a missing limb.  Of course the loss of limb is a major change and the amputee will need some time to adjust, however animals adapt amazingly well the loss of a leg. Often times they are capable of moving just as well as they did before the amputation.  There are some truly amazing stories about three legged animals and what they can do.  A great source of information is http://www.squidoo.com/tripawd this site offers videos as well as advice on what to look for in a surgeon if your pet is facing the possibility of an amputation.  There is a also a link to their alternate site with additional information.

Caring for animals with special needs can be challenging but helping a pet in need can be an extremely rewarding experience.  If you are considering adopting a special needs pet be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian to fully understand what their requirements are and that they are a good fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle.  Making the right choice will ultimately lead to fulfilling and rewarding lives for both you and your special needs pet.

Preventing bad breath in pets involves brushing their teeth regularly with a cat or dog-specific toothpaste and toothbrush, providing a high-quality diet of dry food and getting regular veterinary exams. Prevent bad breath in pets, which is often caused by periodontal disease, withhealth information from a veterinarian in this free video on pet care. Expert: Dr. Aimee Beger Bio: Dr. Aimee Beger works for McClintock Animal Care Center in Tempe, Ariz. Filmmaker: Ryan Quinn
Video Rating: 5 / 5

by Ed Yourdon

Some people consider having an exotic pet as a companion in the home. This can be a bird, a snake, a spider or even a scorpion. Though some of these are venomous, proper care must be enforced to make sure such incidents don’t happen.

Aside from making the home similar to the habitat of the pet, the most important thing is giving the right diet. If the animal is a frog, insects such as mosquitoes or flies, which are difficult to breed at home, can be purchased from the store.

Those who decide to have a snake at home will make the creature happy by feeding it a live mouse. If watching how the rodent dies sickens the individual, it can be killed and frozen then just warmed in hot water before giving it to the pet.

The reason the mouse should be placed in warm water first is because snakes won’t eat anything cold. This is considered to be a waste of money since the creature will just spit it out after.

If the owner finds buying insects or mice expensive, it will be a good idea to raise them at home. This is very challenging but with proper care, this will surely save money in the long term.

The only risk this poses is the possibility that these might escape and do damage to the home. Some people who wanted to raise crickets gave up after realizing how inconvenient it was because of the noise.

The best advice is to perhaps only buy a sufficient number so that there wouldn’t be any problems caused by raising the exotic animal in the comforts of home. The animal lover can compare the price of the pet store and those offered online before making an order. The customer should keep in mind that some retailers give discounts for bulk orders.   Some exotic animals are herbivores. Instead of buying this from the supermarket or the pet store, the person can try planting these in the backyard. There might be too much for the pet to consume so some can also be used when preparing dishes at home.

There are many things needed to make sure the pet is well treated at home. Aside from taking this to the vet or providing adequate shelter, the best is still maintaining a proper diet to make sure it is always healthy and strong.

by Boogies with Fish

The green iguana or the “Iguana Iguana” is the species of iguana that people refer to when they speak of getting a pet iguana. The green iguana is also the most common among the iguana family.

In recent years, it has become very popular among owners of pets in various locations such as Europe and the United States. It is found natively in Central America as well as in South America.

Its bright green color greatly helps it hide itself in the green forest vegetation and thus avoiding detection by its natural enemies. Its acute vision and rapid movements make it particularly hard to capture. Daytime is when the iguana is most active. The iguanas color changes from a bright green when young to a muted green as it ages.

A day in the life of an iguana consists of feeding, searching for sun bathed spots to lie upon and occasionally, evading predators.

However, this is different from the life of an iguana that is in captivity. Despite the absence of predators, an iguana needs to be taken care of well by its owner. Taking care of this popular pet is not an easy task.

When taking care of this animal, some of the following should be considered:
1. The iguana should be placed in an enclosed space, preferably a large one.

The length of an adult iguana could reach seven feet. Therefore, the iguana’s enclosure should be the owner’s main concern.

An iguana that is confined in a small space will become stressed and be restless. This often leads to sickness and may make the iguana vulnerable to diseases. This fact may not seem obvious as the iguana may seem at ease with a small enclosure, though this should not mislead you.

The length of the enclosure should be much longer than the length of the iguana either in width or in depth. Additionally, its height should be approximately twice its height or more as the iguana needs to climb and move about. The iguana should receive the freedom to roam inside the house after a while if the owner can ensure it won’t escape or eat important things.

2. the Pet’s enclosure should contain either synthetic structures or large branches.

The presence of these large branches, synthetic or real, will increase the visual appeal of the enclosure while also making it an improved dwelling for the iguana. The iguana’s psychological growth as well as its emotional one depends on two activities that it undertakes, these being basking and climbing. The large branches allow it to carry out these two activities.

Mulch may be used for the flooring of the interior of the pen. This is due to mulch’s composition which helps it prevent erosion of the earth, retain moisture and stop the growth of weeds. Alternatively newspaper sheets may be used for the floor.

3. The pen should be fitted with a high-quality device for heating.

An iguana that doesn’t receive adequate heat is unable to properly digest its food. Therefore, the installation of a heating device should not be overlooked.

UV light should be provided for the iguana. The temperature of the enclosure should not fall below 26°C. Additionally, a temperature reaching 36°C should be found in one part of the enclosure. This may be achieved by using a spotlight.

4. Darkness is as important as heating and lighting.
The iguana’s health is also dependant on it receiving darkness for at least six to ten hours every night. Shielding the enclosure from lights from appliances as well as street lights should be done at night.

5. Your pet iguana needs attention.

Owners should give their pet animal’s sufficient attention and care. The green iguana should receive care and love in a similar manner to that given to dogs and cats. Failure to give the iguana enough attention could result in the pet growing restless, ill and ultimately in its death.

The aforementioned tips are only some of the many that need consideration. However, a dependable veterinary doctor should be consulted for comprehensive tips and advice as this will ensure the long and healthy life of your green iguana.

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